Lagos, Nigeria – Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has announced the heartbreaking death of his younger brother, Uche Levi Oliseh, who passed away on Thursday following a short battle with malaria fever.
In an emotional post on social media platform X, the 50-year-old football legend expressed his profound grief, describing the pain as unlike anything he had experienced before. “Sadly I lost my brother, Uche Levi Oliseh on Thursday after a brief illness with Malaria fever,” Oliseh wrote. “It hurts so bad, like I have never felt before. I have over a million things that I would wanna talk, laugh and do with Uche, but sadly I cannot anymore. Damn, Death is a real bitc.”
Uche Levi Oliseh, aged 51, was the sibling of the renowned midfielder who represented Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, and famously won Olympic gold in 1996. Details surrounding the exact circumstances of his illness remain limited, but reports indicate it progressed rapidly, leading to his untimely demise.
The announcement comes just 17 days after the passing of another Nigerian football figure, adding to a sombre period for the nation’s sporting community. Oliseh, who also coached the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2016, shared a photograph alongside his heartfelt message, prompting an outpouring of condolences from fans, fellow athletes, and media outlets.
Malaria remains a significant health challenge in Nigeria, with millions of cases annually, often proving fatal if not treated promptly. Oliseh’s public sharing of his loss has highlighted the ongoing threat of the disease in the region.
Tributes have flooded in, with many remembering Uche as a supportive family member to the Oliseh clan, which includes other footballing brothers like Azubuike and Egutu. One fan wrote on X: “My deepest condolences to the Oliseh family. Malaria continues to rob us of loved ones too soon.”
Sunday Oliseh, now a FIFA technical expert and analyst, has not yet announced funeral arrangements. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
